The credit for this post title goes to my tween daughter. We wanted to express just how much we appreciate the (not-so) common apple. We are also headed into National Apple Month for the month of October – so get ready to celebrate the apple and the Fall season. Here are some ideas on how you can also cherish this fruit:

• Search out some new varieties of apples. Orange Pippin has a comprehensive list – plus results of voting for favorite varieties. Have you heard of Adam’s Pearmain Apple with a nutty taste?
• Plan a day at your local apple orchard. The Apple Journal has a comprehensive list of orchards by state.
• Challenge yourself to cut the peel off in one long continuous spiral (but hopefully you still eat the peel).
• Paint a jar apple red. My tween decided to use her old paint and an empty jar to create a red vase.

Paint a Jar Apple Red

• Freeze dry apples picked now for handy lunch snacks and food variety. By storing in an airtight container- the freeze dried fruit should last up to a year.  eHow has a great tutorial.
• Grill a brie and slice apple sandwich (yum!). Tyler Florence’s recipe is a winner!
• Decorate a party table cloth with apple painting. Remember our potato painting for Easter?
• Pair a daily apple with your favorite nut or seed butter. I like the taste and portability of Barney Butter packets.
• Start a family tradition of apple taste testing. Every Christmas holiday, our family does a blind taste test of different apples (as many different types as we can find). It’s always surprising what we pick as a ‘winner’. We love this tradition.
• Make an apple inspired sweet treat cupcake. Check out this creative idea via FamilyFun Magazine. Or how about these cute teacher appreciation apple cookies from this post here.

Apple Cupcake via FamilyFun Magazine

Teacher Appreciation Apple Cookies for the Whole Class

• Remember the brilliance of Steve Jobs as we approach the 1-year anniversary of his passing on October 5, 2011. I love that his yard is filled with apple trees. My daughter and I paid our respects last year by visiting the massive gathering of notes, flowers and apples left at his family’s home.

Steve Jobs Memorial Filled with Apples

How do you plan to celebrate National Apple Month? Share your ideas below!

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